Switching structure capable of changing a discharging amount of a soft tube package

ABSTRACT

A switching structure outer capable of changing a discharging amount of a soft tube package comprises a connecting head and an outer cap. A switching cap is movably disposed on the connecting head. At least one arch-shaped hook is formed on an outer peripheral wall of the connecting head. The connecting head has a neck which forms a seat downward from an upper end thereof Through holes are formed at a bottom of the seat, and a protrusion is disposed at a center of the seat. The switching cap includes a large cover fitting the arch-shaped hook and a small cover formed inside the large cover. A discharge outlet is formed at a center of the switching cap. This switching structure is capable of controlling an extruding amount of contents of the soft tube package effectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a package for receiving liquid or paste substance and relates particularly to a switching structure capable of changing a discharging amount of a soft tube package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The advantages of a soft tube package are the light weight and the easy use. The soft tube package is not only applied to the food package but to the package of daily supplies, such as cosmetic products, toothpaste and shoe polish.

The soft tube structure usually includes a soft tube, a tube neck integrated with the tube, and a tube cap fitting the tube neck. In use, the tube cap is directly opened, and the soft tube is squeezed to extrude contents of the soft tube. The extruding amount of the contents in the tube is decided according to how large a squeezing force is and how large a discharge outlet is. Generally, different users have different needs for the extruding amount per use. If the size of the discharge outlet is larger, an over extruding amount caused by a larger force may incur an unnecessary waste. If the extruded contents are refilled from the discharge outlet into the soft tube, an inconvenient operation is caused, and the original contents stored in the soft tube are easily contaminated when the extruded contents are refilled into the tube. For some special contents of the tube, such contamination may affect the function of the product in the future use and impinge on the expiration of the contents. If the size of discharge outlet is smaller, the user cannot extrude an enough amount of the contents at once, and the user needs to squeeze the soft tube repeatedly. This incurs an inconvenient use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a switching structure capable of changing a discharging amount of a soft tube package. The switching structure is simple and is capable of controlling the extruding amount of contents effectively and preventing the waste of the material.

To attain the above object, the switching structure of this invention comprises a connecting head integrated with a soft tube body and an outer cap covering the connecting head. Wherein, a switching cap is movably disposed on the connecting head. At least one arch-shaped hook is formed on an outer peripheral wall of the connecting head. A neck is disposed on the connecting head and provided with external threads. The neck forms a seat going downward from an upper end thereof Through holes are formed at a bottom of the seat and communicate with the soft tube body. A protrusion is disposed at a center of the seat and has an upper surface disposed level with an upper edge of the neck. The switching cap is a cover body which covers the connecting head. The switching cap includes a large cover forming an inner wall on which a locking part is formed to fit the arch-shaped hook and having a depth corresponding to a height of the connecting head. The switching cap further includes a small cover formed inside the large cover and disposed to engage with the neck. The small cover has internal threads formed thereon. At a center of the switching cap is formed a discharge outlet whose inner diameter is smaller than an outer diameter of the protrusion.

Preferably, the connecting head can include a step portion opposite to the soft tube body and a shoulder post formed when the step portion has a reduced diameter. A flange is formed on an outer peripheral wall of the shoulder post to lock with the outer cap.

Preferably, a reduced diameter seat is formed on the shoulder post. At least one arch-shaped hook is disposed on an outer peripheral wall of the reduced diameter seat. The neck is formed on the reduced diameter seat.

Preferably, the switching cap has the large cover disposed relative to the shoulder post. An inner diameter of the large cover matches to an outer diameter of the reduced diameter seat. A depth of the large cover corresponds to a height from the reduced diameter seat to a top end of the connecting head.

Preferably, multiple annular grooves can be formed on a top surface of the switching cap.

Preferably, a functional head can be mounted on the switching cap, and a plurality of annular grooves can be formed on a top surface of the switching cap.

Preferably, a concave-convex pattern can be arranged on an outer peripheral wall of the switching cap for rotating easily.

By adopting the abovementioned structure, this invention uses the arch-shaped hook of the connecting head in cooperation with the locking part on the inner wall of the switching cap to fulfill a one-way locking connection therebetween. Meanwhile, the change in the distance between the arch-shaped hook and the locking part decides whether the discharge outlet of the switching cap is blocked by the protrusion of the connecting head, thereby changing an amount for discharging and controlling an extruding amount of contents effectively. Further, this invention provides a simple structure which is convenient and easy to assemble, allows the soft tube package to be more user-friendly to use, and attains a quick and convenient use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing a connecting head of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing a switching cap of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of this invention in a closed state; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of this invention in an open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of this invention discloses a switching structure capable of changing a discharging amount of a soft tube package. The claimed structure comprises a connecting head 1 integrated with a soft tube body, a switching cap 2 movably disposed on the connecting head 2, and an outer cap 3 covering the connecting head 1 and the switching cap 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting head 1 can include a step portion opposite to the soft tube body to form a shoulder post 11 when the step portion has a reduced diameter. A flange 12 is formed on an outer peripheral wall of the shoulder post 11 to lock with the outer cap 3. A reduced diameter seat 13 is formed on the shoulder post 11, and at least one arch-shaped hook 14 is disposed on an outer peripheral wall of the reduced diameter seat 13. In this embodiment, two symmetrical arch-shaped hooks 14 are disposed. Further, a neck 15 is formed on the reduced diameter seat 13. Threads 151 are formed on an outer peripheral wall of the neck 15. The neck 15 forms a seat 152 going downward from an upper end thereof Through holes 153 are formed at a bottom of the seat 152 and communicate with the soft tube body. A protrusion 154 is disposed at a center of the seat 152 and has an upper surface disposed level with an upper edge of the neck 15.

The switching cap 2 is a cover body which covers the connecting head 1. The switching cap 2 includes a large cover 21 facing the shoulder post 11. A depth of the large cover 21 corresponds to a height from the reduced diameter seat 13 to a top end of the connecting head 1. The large cover 21 also has an inner wall on which a locking part 211 is formed to fit the arch-shaped hook 14. Inside the large cover 21 is formed a small cover 22 which can engage with the neck 15. Internal threads 221 are formed around an inner wall of the small cover 22. A discharge outlet 23 is formed at a center of the switching cap 2, and an inner diameter of the discharge outlet 23 is smaller than an outer diameter of the protrusion 154.

Further, a functional head 4, such as a brush head, a head with projecting grains and other suitable heads for spreading, can be mounted on the switching cap 2. To attain an even discharge of the functional head 4, a plurality of annular grooves 24 can be preferably formed on a top surface of the switching cap 2 for accommodating the contents. Furthermore, a concave-convex pattern 25 can be arranged on an outer peripheral wall of the switching cap 2 so that the user can impart a rotating force to the switching cap 2 easily.

The outer cap 3 is a covering cap to cover the switching cap 2. To assemble the elements of this invention, referring to FIG. 4, the switching cap 2 covers the connecting head 1 firstly and then connects the connecting head 1 by pressing and rotating. Because the arch-shaped hook 14 is disposed on the connecting head 1, the locking part 211 of the large cover 21 goes across and interlocks with the arch-shaped hook 14 when the switching cap 2 is rotatably engaged with the connecting head 1. Therefore, a one-way locking effect is attained. When the switching cap 2 is rotated relative to the connecting head 1 and the rotation reaches the limit, a gap for movement is formed between the locking part 211 and the hook 14, and the discharge outlet 23 of the switching cap 2 is concurrently blocked by the protrusion 154 of the connecting head 1. Thus, the soft tube is in a closed state and unable to discharge. The outer cap 3 functions as a covering means to attain a safety package.

Referring to FIG. 5, to make an open and discharge operation for extruding the contents, the outer cap 3 is removed firstly, and the switching cap 2 is rotated counterclockwise to lift the switching cap 2 relative to the connecting head 1. Then, the protrusion 154 leaves the discharge outlet 23 to release the above blocking action. Therefore, an interstice for discharging is formed between the protrusion 154 and the discharge outlet 23. When the soft tube body is squeezed, the contents are forced to go through the through holes 153 of the connecting head 1 and enter the seat 152. Thus, the contents are introduced into the interstice between the protrusion 154 and the discharge outlet 23 and thence extruded from the discharge outlet 23. The range of rotating the switching cap 2 counterclockwise is limited because of the limiting effect between the locking part 211 and the hook 14, thereby controlling the interstice between the protrusion 154 and the discharge outlet 23 effectively to fulfill the discharge limit of the contents and attain the change in the amount of discharging the contents. The problem that too many contents are extruded and causes the waste is also prevented. It is noted that an inclination angle of the threads impinging on the change in the interstice between the protrusion 154 and the discharge outlet 23 can be flexibly disposed according to needs. The gap for movement defined between the hook 14 and the locking part 211 also decides the limitation of the interstice formed between the protrusion 154 and the discharge outlet 23.

To sump up, this invention uses the arch-shaped hook 14 disposed on the connecting head 1 to cooperate with the locking part 211 disposed on the inner wall of the switching cap 2, thereby attaining a one-way locking effect therebetween. The change in the distance between the hook 14 and the locking part 211 also carries out the blocking action between the discharge outlet 23 of the switching cap 2 and the protrusion 15 of the connecting head 1, thereby attaining the function of changing the amount for discharging. Therefore, this invention controls the extruding amount of contents effectively, provides a simple structure which is easy and convenient to assemble, renders the soft tube package more user-friendly to use, and attains a quick and convenient use. 

I claim:
 1. A switching structure capable of changing a discharging amount of a soft tube package comprising a connecting head integrated with a soft tube body and an outer cap covering said connecting head, wherein a switching cap is movably disposed on said connecting head, at least one arch-shaped hook being formed on an outer peripheral wall of said connecting head, a neck with external threads being disposed on said connecting head, said neck forming a seat which goes downward from an upper end thereof, through holes being formed at a bottom of said seat and communicating with said soft tube body, a protrusion being disposed at a center of said seat and having an upper surface disposed level with an upper edge of said neck, said switching cap being a cover body which covers said connecting head and including a large cover and a small cover, said large cover forming an inner wall on which a locking part is formed to fit said arch-shaped hook and having a depth corresponding to a height of said connecting head, said small cover with internal threads being formed inside said large cover and disposed to engage with said neck, a discharge outlet being formed at a center of said switching cap and providing an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said protrusion.
 2. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting head includes a step portion opposite to said soft tube body and a shoulder post formed when said step portion has a reduced diameter, a flange being formed on an outer peripheral wall of said shoulder post to lock with said outer cap.
 3. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 2, wherein a reduced diameter seat is formed on said shoulder post, said at least one arch-shaped hook being disposed on an outer peripheral wall of said reduced diameter seat, said neck being formed on said reduced diameter seat.
 4. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 3, wherein said large cover of said switching cap is disposed to face said shoulder post, an inner diameter of said large cover matching to an outer diameter of said reduced diameter seat, a depth of said large cover corresponding to a height from said reduced diameter seat to a top end of said connecting head.
 5. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching cap has a plurality of annular grooves formed on a top surface thereof.
 6. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 1, wherein a functional head is mounted on said switching cap.
 7. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 6, wherein said switching cap has a plurality of annular grooves formed on a top surface thereof.
 8. The switching structure capable of changing the discharging amount of the soft tube package as claimed in claim 1, wherein a concave-convex pattern is arranged on an outer peripheral wall of said switching cap for rotating easily. 